Product Description

In this fully revised second edition of the best selling "Tracing Your Air Force Ancestors", Phil Tomaselli explains which records survive, where they can be found and how they can help you in your research. Whether you are interested in the career of an individual air-man or woman, researching medals awarded to a pilot or crew member or just want to know more about a particular squadron or operations, this handbook will point you in the right direction.

Each era in air force history is described, from the pioneering days of early aviation and the formation of the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War to the creation of the Royal Air Force, its operations during the Second World War and its postwar development. Mr Tomaselli outlines the evolving organizations of the air force in each period. He also provides pointers and examples which should help researchers find the records of units and bases that individuals served in, the kind of work they did, the aeroplanes they worked with and the men and women they worked alongside.

Contents:AcknowledgementsAbbreviationsIntroduction 1. The Beginnings 2. The Royal Flying Corps in the First World War 3. The Royal Naval Air Service in the First World War 4. The Creation of the RAF 5. The Royal Air Force Between the Wars 6. The Second World War: Main Royal Air Force Commands 7. Other Records for the Second World War 8. The Royal Air Force After 1945 9. Medals, Casualties and Courts Martial

Appendix 1. Ranks in the RFC/RNAS/RAF Appendix 2. Royal Flying Corps, Order of Battle Appendix 3. RNAS, Order of Battle, 31 March 1918 Appendix 4. RAF, Order of Battle in France, 11 November 1918 Appendix 5. Fighter Command, Order of Battle, July 1940 (The Battle of Britain) Appendix 6. Bomber Command, Order of Battle, May 1942 Appendix 7. AIR Papers at The National Archives which may Contain Information Useful to Family Historians Appendix 8. Useful Books Appendix 9. Other Useful Archives, Collections and Sources Appendix 10. Magazines and Periodicals Appendix 11. Websites Appendix 12. RAF Abbreviations Index